Dragon Hunters

Chapter 2 Xe

I was running to catch the evening opening gate to Katran. The gate had an hour or two before it closed, but I still had to make it in time.

I wanted to meet Zodion before the gate closed and before his hunter's ceremony happened.

Zodion is my friend, and I wanted to hang out with him one last time before he got his first assessment.

His family is famously known for hunting and defeating dragons. It must be cool to hunt dragons.

This is a big thing for Zodion, so I wanted to make one good memory before he has to go on missions.

I listened for Zodion and heard the familiar pitched voice of Zodion. I stood by a stone wall and picked up a stone while waiting patiently for Zodion.

I heard the familiar taps of Zodion running, and I immediately noticed him as he looked around.

I aimed the stone at Zodions head and hit him before he turned and smiled when he saw me.

"Hey Xe, I figured you would've thrown something at me. Last time, it was some sand."

I smiled at the memory and saw Zodion was also smiling as he remembered complaining to me that he had sand in his hair for days.

"Well, Xe, this might be the last time we can hang out, so let's see who can skip the stone across the water the most."

I was about to accept the challenge, but I had a question to ask him that had been bugging me ever since he told me about his family.

"Zodion, are you going to accept the hunter's blessing?" I knew about his plan not to, but I didn't want to lose my friend.

Zodion better accept it since he might just kill himself during a mission. Would he risk his life just so he wouldn't have to accept the blessing?

Knowing him, most likely yes, but now that he's taking a big responsibility, he might've changed his answer.

"Sorry Xe, but I'm going to follow the plan because the blessing is just a lie, and I don't need it." I stood in shock.

Zodion was a complete idiot.

I still remember him telling me that his family relied on it, but he says it was a lie. It wasn't a lie. I lost my uncle to the shadow dragon's curse.

"Zodion, didn't your mom say that the blessing was important?" I already lost my uncle. I'm not losing my friend.

Zodions face turned red as a tomato as he looked at me with anger as swift as a flame.

"Xe, don't tell me that you believe in that? I've told you it's just a tale to scare little kids."

Zodion always told me that story his mother told him when he was younger, and I once didn't believe it until my uncle died.

"Look, Xe, I know this is important, but what's the point of the blessing? Can't we just go and skip the stones and see who wins?"

He said that this was important to him, but Al he cares about now is skipping some stupid stones?!

"No, we won't skip the stones. Instead we'll talk about how you're risking your life. Just accept the blessing."

Zodion turned red as the strongest fire as he gritted his teeth. I stood my ground knowing Zodion would argue.

"Xe, if I don't want to take the blessing, then that's my choice, not yours or anyone's. I already told you why I won't do it."

I wasn't angry since I already knew why he wouldn't accept the blessing, but I was angry knowing nothing would stop him.

I wanted to blow up and Zodion, but I stopped since he told me before that I sounded like his father when I disciplined him.

"Xe, if I accept the blessing, will you stop acting like my mom or dad?" Plead glowed in Zodions eyes.

Zodion lies a lot, and it got to the point where you can tell he's lying.

"Stop lying. I know you won't accept the blessing Zodion, so please just stop."

Zodion looked shocked that I figured out he was lying. Dummy I silently thought.

"But that usually works." I was filled with pride knowing Zodion was running out of ideas but I felt true happiness when he looked at me like I spoke another language.

I looked at the sky and noticed how the sun was almost high in it. "Zodion it's already almost closing time for the gates. You better hurry and start heading back."

Zodions face looked shock and I knew it meant he wasn't paying attention to the time, but he obliged and started to head towards the gate.

Sadly, I live in Tovida, and he lives in Katran, but we get to learn about each other's home area whenever we hang out together.

Knowing he might be nervous and a bit upset I decided a fun little race might cheer him up.

"Come on Zodion, I'll race you there." I knew I could beat Zodion at a race. He hates racing since running is what caused him to twist his ankle.

Me and Zodion got into our running positions as we prepared to start running. "Ready. Set. Go!"

We both took off to the gate laughing and pushing each other trying to pass the other.

Zodion was as quick as hare, but I ran faster. I felt like the leopards spirit was inside of me as the wind flew through my red hair.

"I beat you, Zodion." I said as I stood with pride while Zodion fell to the ground, panting.

Zodion looked happy once again, but as we started to walk, we saw Zodions parents at the gate.

"Zodion, why are your parents here?" Zodion suddenly turned pale as a goose feather when he made eye contact with them.

"They probably found out about how I won't accept the blessing." Fear struck both of us like lightning as we approached the gate.

But they didn't seem mad. Instead, they seemed like they were in a rush. Zodions mom was the first one to break the ice.

"Zodion, let's go. Everyone is ready, and we found the senior hunter for you."

Me and Zodion said our goodbyes as I watched him walk into Katran with his parents.

Zodion better accept the blessing, or else he'll be the death of himself and his family.